Fishing Report for Week Ending January 17, 2016

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week but most of the salmon caught were still on the small size. There were some larger salmon up to 18+ lbs caught early in the week. Halibut fishing is closed during January.

Please note that there are salmon and other fishery closures in effect in numerous areas of BC’s tidal waters. For the latest details on openings and closures in your area:

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SOOKE – The salmon fishing was GOOD recently, but still not a lot of anglers out fishing. There are lots of small 3-7 lb springs off Sooke right now and not too many larger fish. It’s been good around the 140 foot contour. The 3”-4” Coyote, Gypsy and G-Force spoons, as well as hoochies, are the top choices for Sooke anglers. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas have been very popular. Hoochies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Purple Onion, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Lemon Lime.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. Anglers were reporting good success in the bay for springs up to 18+ lbs. Teegan Harding landed an 18.2 lb spring near Lamb Island this past Monday. Inside of Frazer Island and towards the marina has been good. It’s also been good over by the Trap shack and Whirl Bay. Most of the fish being brought back to the marina weigh between 5-8 lbs in size. Anchovies in glow teaser heads have been very effective in luring the winter springs. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective. For flashers, the Lemon Lime and the Purple Onion have been good.

Teegan Harding with his 18.2 lb winter spring

PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Those who did go out caught fish that were mostly in the 3-5 lb range. Most of the fish were caught close to the bottom in 120-150 feet of water inside the bay by the Navy Buoy. The trolling pattern has been to do figure eights between the Deep Hole and the Can Buoy. The anglers are fishing close to the bottom are often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom. There is also lots of bait right inside the bay, and probably salmon feeding on them there as well. Small spoons, such as the G-Force, Coyote and Gypsy, in the glow and/or any bright colours were very effective. Hootchies and squirts also produced well. Flashers that remain popular include Glow green, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion. And you can’t go wrong fishing anchovies in a Bloody Nose teaser.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing is closed during January.

VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria. The weather was poor much of the week so not too many anglers were out. The fish have been found just about everywhere at some point, but they are following the bait schools so you might have to move around a bit to find them. The larger fish of last week seem to have moved on and most of the salmon are weighing between 3-5 lbs. Spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Bloody Nose and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and White Glow. Coho Killers, AP Needlefish, G Force and Coyote spoons in Green Splatterback, Moon Glow and glow white & green colours have also been good. The Purple Onion, Lemon Lime and Bon Chovy flashers have been popular recently.

HALIBUT –Halibut fishing is closed during January.

OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. Out on the Flats, winter springs were caught fishing with Green Splatterback Coho Killers on the bottom in 65’ of water using Purple flashers and 40” leaders. The fish were feeding on needlefish and Coho Killers in Gold Nugget have been productive too.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing is closed during January.

SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was FAIR near Sidney. Most of the winter springs have been short of the minimum size for retention but we did hear of a couple of 7-8 lb keepers from near Coal Island. Most anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget. Prawning is now closed in Saanich Inlet.

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Fishing is FAIR in most lakes. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake, but the fishing has been good for these large trout.

COWICHAN RIVER – Water levels have increased with the recent rain and the water clarity has decreased. Today the water level is 1.45 meters near Duncan and it looks like the river might blow out. Winter steelheading in the Riverbottom area was slower this past week with the top anglers only getting a couple of steelies per day. We have heard that a couple of 40”+ steelhead have been caught and released so far this month. For steelhead, good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Beads and yarn, Gooey Bobs and the always reliable Pink Worm. Spoons can also be a great lure in these conditions. Fly fishing for brown trout at the top end of the river has been good.

TROUT – Troutfishing was FAIR on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. Cowichan Lake has produced some large cutthroat trout for those trolling 3” plugs, but that is strictly a catch and release fishery for large trout.

Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore and close to the bottom. Orange Garlic and Pink Garlic have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Pumpkinheads, Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines. Trollers are catching trout with Gibbs Gang Trolls and Gibbs Wedding Bands. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers in rainbow, green or black and white patterns. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Black with Silver Flake or Rainbow Pattern.

BASS - Bass fishing is VERY SLOW. Fishing drop shot style is your best bet now. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “are also a good choice when fishing the bottom, drop offs and reefs, and have been most productive in 4” Smoke or Pumpkinseed Yum baits. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK

Don’t get lazy about checking your gear while trolling for winter springs. Although most of these fish aren’t real large, there can be some real tackle busters waiting to take your bait. Check your leader for nicks and frays after every fish and change them at the slightest sign of wear. We hear way too many stories of anglers breaking off on big, feisty salmon because the angler didn’t check for any weak links in their gear.

2016 Island Outfitters Leader Board

Salmon

We are now waiting for the first salmon of the year to be weighed in at the store. So, bring your next big salmon in for the contest!

Halibut

We are now waiting for halibut season to open.

Trout

We are now waiting for the first trout of the year to be weighed in at the store. So, bring your next big trout in for the contest!

Island Outfittersstarts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizesSalmon, Trout and Halibut Leader Boards. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st wins a special prize.

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